(19)

(11)

EP 1 232 429 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 10.05.2002 (43) Date of publication: 21.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/34 (21) Application number: 00974676.9 (22) Date of filing: 10.11.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G06F 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/GB0004/311 (87) International publication number: WO 0103/8956 (31.05.2001 Gazette 2001/22)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 24.11.1999 US 448458 (71) Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation Armonk, NY 10504 (US)	(72) Inventors: CAPELLI, Ronald Round Rock, TX 78664 (US) KUBIK, Joseph Austin, TX 78717 (US) SULLIVAN, Michael, Joseph Austin, TX 78730 (US) WAGNER, Jonathan, Mark Round Rock, TX 78664 (US) (74) Representative: Waldner, Philip  IBM United Kingdom Limited,MP 110,Hursley Park Winchester SO21 2JN Winchester SO21 2JN (GB)